(1.) This Election Petition has been filed by the Petitioner under Sec. 100(1)(d)(i) and (iv) of the Representation of People Act, 1951 to declare that the election of the respondent No. 1 from 15-Wangkhei Assembly Constituency in the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly Election 2017 is null and void and to declare the Petitioner as the Returned Candidate/duly elected members from 15-Wangkhei Assembly Constituency in the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly Election 2017. Further, the Petitioner has also prayed for passing an Order for initiation of Criminal proceedings against the Respondent No. 1 under Sec. 125A and 127 of the Representation of People Act, 1951.
(2.) The case of the Petitioner is that in the last election to the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly Election -2017 held on 4/3/2017, the Petitioner was one of the contesting candidates from 15- Wangkhei Assembly Constituency being set up by the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP for short). The Election Commission of India issued a Notification dtd. 7/2/2017 announcing the following programme for the election to be held in the said 60 Assembly Constituencies including 15- Wangkhei A/C.
(3.) The Petitioner and other Candidate including the Respondent No. 1 filed their nomination papers within the time specified and the nomination papers filed by 3(three) candidates were accepted by the R.O of 15-Wangkhei Assembly Constituency in which the petitioner is one of the candidates.